Judas Priest Didn't Sell Out For American Idol

06/02/2011.

(Rock News Desk) The debate over music-themed TV gameshows struck at the core of heavy metal last week when Judas Priest appeared on American Idol to perform with contestant James Durbin.

While a number of acts have risked being labelled "sell-outs" by guesting on big-budget talent shows, it's the first such appearance for a band with the level of integrity Priest are perceived to have.

But singer Rob Halford has brushed all doubts aside and thanked producers for the opportunity to be seen on primetime TV in the finale of the series which features Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler as a judge. Halford says: "It's just amazing. We'd like to say thank you to James and to American Idol for putting heavy metal music into 30 million homes week after week. He's become a hero of ours." more on this story